Ben Lomond & the Ptarmigan Ridge

Covering 720sq miles, 22 lochs and 21 Munros, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is famous worldwide for those seeking wonderful scenery and outdoor adventures. The best way to see the park? Climb Ben Lomond and the Ptarmigan Ridge to take in the spectacular views.

How to climb Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular hill climbs, with over 30,000 people reaching the summit every year. On a good day, the Forestry Commission car park at Rowardennan (£3/day) on the east side of the loch is jam-packed and a stream of people headup into the hills. We chose the National Trust for Scotland managed ‘tourist path’ for our ascent and surrounded by the mountains, you get incredible full circle views of the loch and it’s 22 islands.

This was our first time up Ben Lomond, and after climbing Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn (which is around the same height) we thought we knew what to expect; that was until the weather decided to add 25 degrees of heat.

By the time we’d left the tree line everyone around us was huffing and puffing, and we realised with our fleeces and a rucksack full of hats and scarves, that we were completely over-dressed. I was very thankful I had remembered to pack the factor 30 sunscreen.

We took a well-deserved rest on the plateau before attempting the final climb to the top; I almost want to stay here all day, with a sunbed and a glass of wine in my hand!

Despite the now oppressive heat and for me, total exhaustion (I was starting to feel like I was climbing in a sauna) we had to push on and we finally reached the top after 2 hours of climbing.

Sadly, as evidenced by the number of people hurrying back down the trail towards us, our time on the top of the mountain was to be very short-lived. Arghh the MIDGIES! Usually found at lower levels, close to water, the incredible heat (and extra dinner they were getting) had pushed a swarm of biting midgies upwards and the top was utterly infested.

Lacking a protective covering of midgie spray we had to make a dash for it and following the round trip walk we scrambled down the back of the mountain to the Ptarmigan Ridge. I only stopped for breath to take the photo below. I did make the summit, honestly!

Now, I think the descent down the mountain along the Ptarmigan Ridge tops every walk I’ve ever completed in Scotland. The midgies had finally disappeared and with a fresh breeze and home in sight, I was able to really enjoy the views. Just look at it; I think I’ve fallen in love with beautiful Scotland even more. Even if by this point, I was such a sweaty mess, this selfie was really not a good idea!

After 10 miles, 25 degrees, 4 hours 52 minutes walking, 1081m in height and 28500 steps, we did it again! I told you this Munro bagging was addictive.

24 Comments

Schiehallion is an easy climb and it’s in a lovely part of the country BUT the last section is very stony and rocky and I found it very hard on the feet and ankles, probably more so coming down. With a history of broken bones I was worried, but if you have strong feet you should be fine.

I live by Smidge, but left it in my camping bag as I wasn’t expecting them to be swarming on top of a mountain! Smidge is the only spray that works for me (and I love the name obvs). We managed to borrow some of a couple on the way down but it was too late.

Congratulations on bagging another Munro. 🙂 I was quite taken with your suggestion of the sunbed and ‘refreshments’. 🙂 The views are lovely. Why is there always that midges downside to the weather? Thanks for the link, Smidge. I have to admit, I thought parmesan too 🙂

Wow these views are absolutely amazing! I love hiking in the mountains when the weather is like that but our 900 metre mountains in Norway are probably even more difficult as they are so steep. Guess I need to embark on a hiking trip to Scotland soon 😉

Ha! This is an ‘easy’ Munro. Many of the 900m + mountains are inaccessible, steep and require specialist equipment and knowledge. If you come to Scotland there is a list below of the ones you can do as a beginner. We know it is only going to get harder!!

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! And those views are incredible, especially with the blue sky. I love trekking and these shots have made me want to put on my boots and head to a similarly scenic place 🙂 Thanks for sharing this beauty and for linking up!

That view is breathtaking! Sorry that you couldn’t enjoy it long because of those dang midgies … guessing those a bugs by the way? Hehe .. never heard of them before! At least you got up there and got to snap a few pics! Thanks for linking up 😀

Wow, you must have had such great weather! As a native Coloradoan living in Scotland 25 degrees is my FAVOURITE time to be out and about climbing! I’ve still not done Ben Lomond before, but I’ve done Ben Nevis twice already and I can tell you, I doubt Ben Nevis will be much more difficult. I’ll hopefully be up Ben Lomond soon! Great post!